The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Showcase at JCU features top talent
Top talent from Greater Cleveland descends on John Carroll’s campus Jan. 28 for the Dunk4Diabetes Shootout.
The event’s benefits are twofold.
Area high school talent assumes a stage in front of college coaches and large crowds, while some of the city’s best players are exposed to John Carroll and Coach Pete Moran’s program.
“It kind of showcases our campus,” Moran said. “Normally, most of these individuals or their parents, those who have not been on campus, to get to see what this great university has to offer and the facilities. We’re extremely excited that Chas Wolfe and the Dunk 4 Diabetes decided to come to our place.”
Area teams featured in- clude Gilmour, Lake Catholic, Benedictine, Villa An- gela-St. Joseph, Brush and Cornerstone Christian.
Moran said he jumped at the opportunity when it was presented to him by Wolfe, who runs Prep Scouting, LLC.
“It brings a lot of attention,” Moran said. “I know he’s expecting a couple dozen college coaches in at- tendance — obviously the caliber of talent, the atmosphere is going to be phenomenal, and we’re defi- nitely looking forward to it.”
Alongside the follow- ing games involving area teams, Shaker Heights plays Pickerington North, St. Edward faces Cleveland Heights and Garfield Heights matches up with Kennedy Catholic from Hermitage, Pa.
Gilmour vs. Lake Catholic, 11 a.m.
Two of the area’s top teams open play at John Carroll. The 11-1 Cougars match up with the 8-3 Lancers in a game featuring well-coached, defensively sound competition.
The coaching staffs feature extensive ties to John Carroll. Lake Catholic coach Matt Moran is the son of former longtime Blue Streaks coach Mike Moran, who was succeeded by Pete, Matt’s brother.
Gilmour’s sideline features coach David Pfundstein and Sean O’Toole, the Lancers’ athletic director and assistant basketball coach. O’Toole played and coached at John Carroll. Pfundstein, a 1997 graduate, finished his collegiate career as the program’s all-time leader with 105 games played and 454 assists.
“It’s going to be fun playing against Gilmour at John Carroll,” Moran said. “David Pfundstein was an outstanding point guard for the Streaks, and Sean O’Toole played and coached there as well. And I was very lucky to be able to see them play and coach.”
The Cougars are led by sophomores Luka Eller and Luke Frazier. Gilmour features its own high-powered duo in C.J. Charleston and Dechlan Kirincic.
Pfundstein looks forward to another chance for the Lancers to compete against top competition.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” Pfundstein said. “We want benchmarks where we’re at, getting ourselves prepared for the March season. It’s going to be another great benchmark for us.”
Benedictine vs. Revere, 12:30 p.m.
Benedictine arrives at John Carroll in search of its identity midway through the season. Awaiting the Bengals are Revere and Northwestern commit Pete Nance, who will test Benedictine’s ability in the frontcourt.
Coach Rob Stircula’s roster is arguably the most talented in the area. The Bengals are led by their dynamic backcourt of Davin
Zeigler and Chris Jefferson, one of the state’s best guard tandems when each is at the top of his game.
The Minutemen provide another challenge in an already loaded slate featuring matchups against Akron Hoban, St. Edward, Lake Catholic, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Garfield Heights.
“It’s great playing in the event because Chas does such a great job running it,” Stircula said.
VASJ vs. Akron Hoban, 2 p.m.
Coach Babe Kwasniak’s VASJ Vikings need experience. A weekend backto-back against St. Edward on Jan. 27 followed by a matchup the next afternoon against the Knights. Led by Collen Gurley and Garrett Houser, Hoban possesses a lethal offense capable of building double-digit leads in minutes.
Jerry Higgins leads the Vikings in points, assists, rebounds and steals. He’ll be one of the best players to compete Jan. 28.
“Chas Wolfe, I think does as good of a job as anybody in the area,” Kwasniak said. “I love the fact that it’s at John Carroll, who we have a lot of St. Joe ties with.”
Brush vs. Cornerstone Christian, 3:30 p.m.
Only three teams own victories against powerhouse Garfield Heights in the 2017-18 season. Two of them compete at John Carroll on Jan. 28.
The Arcs handed the Bulldogs their first loss at the Play by Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace earlier this month. The Patriots held serve on their home court Jan. 19 in a 80-59 victory.
Brush is led by junior point guard D.J. Dial and sophomore John Hugley’s shown his Division I college potential during January. Brush’s roster includes Tahj Benton, Andre Harris and Tyler Williams who all have collegiate interest. Exposure for Chet Mason’s players is the primary reason for the Arcs’ involvement in the Dunk4Diabetes Shootout, Play by Play Classic and Flyin’ to the Hoop showcases.
“When I was helping at Garfield, they said (Dunk4Diabetes) was an amazing event,” Mason said. “I think Oak Hill (Va.) was there one year. I’m expecting a really good event, and a really good game against Cornerstone. They’ve got it rolling right now.”
Cornerstone Christian’s Michael Bothwell, a Furman commit, recorded the day’s highest point total at Baldwin Wallace on Jan. 7 and is capable of doing so again at John Carroll. Coach Andy Weybrecht’s Division IV Patriots compete against another elite opponent from a higher division.
“We’re honored to be a part of a great event for a great cause,” Weybrecht said. “We’re looking forward to a tremendous challenge in facing a great Brush team.”